The Directorate General of Trade Organizations has directed the Karachi Customs Agents Association and the Karachi Customs Clearing and Forwarding Association to stop using the protected title “Association” and discontinue unauthorized trade-representation activities.
According to the directive, neither body holds a valid trade-organization license under the Trade Organizations Act, 2013. DGTO has taken the position that commercial bodies cannot use titles such as “Federation,” “Chamber” or “Association,” issue membership cards or represent a business sector before government and commercial institutions without the required federal license.
The entities have reportedly been given 14 days to submit compliance affidavits. Failure to comply may lead to statutory penalties, proceedings against office-bearers and requests to FBR, SECP, Pakistan Customs, port authorities and terminal operators to withdraw recognition or cancel registered credentials.